The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences extended membership invitations to 105 distinguished artists and executives from the film community, including six from the documentary community. Notable among the doc invitees is Sheila Nevins, the longtime impresario/maven/doyenne at HBO, who has executive-produced such Oscar-winning or nominated fare as Freeheld, Big Mama, King Gimp, Breathing Lessons, Blood Ties and many more. This year marks the first time the Academy has extended an invitation to Nevins, who was invited as an At-Large member.  

The invitees in the Documentary category include Nanette Burstein (American Teen; On the Ropes); Heidi Ewing (Jesus Camp; The Boys of Baraka); Liz Garbus (Girlhood; The Farm: Angola USA); Michele Ohayon (Steal a Pencil for Me; Colors Straight Up); and Deborah Shaffer (Dance of Hope; Witness to War).

The Academy has 6,000 members, who vote for the nominees and winners in the Academy Award categories.

http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2008/08.06.23.html